Q1 & School Pictures

A few weeks ago the kids got their first Quarter Report Cards. We are so proud of the kids and all the hard work they have put into school this year. We are also beyond thankful for The Oaks and the teachers who are such a blessing to us and our kids. 

Charlie's report card! 

 Claire's report card!

 Ellie's report card! 

 Ellie & Claire's Kindergarten Class. with Mrs. Kind and Mrs. Lewis.

Claire

Eleanore showing off her most practiced and forced smile. 

Charlie's 2nd grade class. 19 boys!!!! bless Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Woodroof.

Charlie - he is getting SO old with those big teeth! 

Bubba and Pappy December visit

The first weekend in December, Bubba and Pappy came to visit! They arrived on a Thursday evening so Friday we joined the kids for Cantabile (The Oaks starts the week and ends the week with singing together). 

Me and Claire. 

Bubba with her girls! 

The girls' Kindergarten class (full day kids). 

After school we drove up to the Bach (Bill came after work) and had a lovely night by the fire with our new COUCH!!! So happy to ditch the mini aztec couch and got a real couch. It isn't full illuminated because I need an extension cord for the other floor lamp, but it is SO much better. 

We moved other chairs from our house up too and it fits with the tree. Fun to get the Christmas decorations up too. 

  

my happy place. 

Laura snuggling with the girls. 

Saturday morning - blue skies and lots of snow. The mountain was open, but we had a short time with Tom and Laura so decided to relax and then get Charlie back to his indoor soccer game midday. 

At his game. He is such a little athlete these days. Intense, fast, defensively minded, can kick it hard! He scored that game too! The team he plays with is the first team we were put with when we moved here and we just love the families and the players. They play really well together too. So thankful for them. 

After the game, we headed home to do a mini Christmas time with Bubba and Pappy. 

Charlie got a balance board! It was a hit.

Who knows how many bruised shins we will have this winter, but the kids are loving it. 

Laura brought out a TON of american girl doll stuff and 2 dolls. The pink fuzzy vests were a hit too! 

they got new animals for their dolls and they are obsessed with them. 

The other big hit was CATAN. Charlie got it as a gift and we played many times through the weekend. Charlie would play non-stop if he was allowed. It is a fun game so I'm glad another option besides just Monopoly (which he has played for 6-7 hours before...no bueno). 

The kids were really sad when Bubba and Pappy left, but are beyond excited for February when everyone comes back out here to visit. Love having you guys here! 

Christmas Tree cutting 2016

The day after Thanksgiving - we arrived at Greenbluff Christmas Tree Farm. 

The kids were thrilled about the free hot chocolate. 

We were excited because they had Fraser Fir trees, which we have had a harder time finding out here in the PNW. 

 Such a cute picture with Charlie, G Pops and Ellie.

  

Claire is in the pink leggings. Love this picture!

 This picture is ridiculous. Charlie wouldn't stop smiling like that. This is our tree!  

 There is a better one! 

I always love the kids watching Bill chop it down. 

 bill had lots of help getting the tree out. 

Claire hitched a ride on Nana's back. 

 

Keeping with tradition - having some hot chocolate and cookies after the tree is cut down!

 Bill singing loudly while he was cutting off the netting. 

Classic Tree pic with our matching Pata R1s. I have been wearing this same R1 for over 10 years every time we have done the tree cutting thing. Still looks the same - just shorter, which I can't figure out. 

This was the first year I let the kids put on some of the fragile ornaments and it was a test of my patience, but great for me to have to give up some control. 

 All done! 

As always, the kids love the nativity! 

 My mom helped me grab some greens from our various evergreens in our yard and fresh holly from our bushes and used it to decorate the mantel. 

She also helped me with my front porch. It is great to have all the varieties of evergreens, red twig, and holly right in our yard! 

I made 3 batches of caramels and the girls were old enough to help me roll them this year! 

Love this season!